Paul Hagen: Rockies like their position heading home, tied 1-1

October 09, 2009
(Page 3 of 3)

Situation No. 1: Rockies leading, 4-0, in the bottom of the sixth, but Colorado starter Aaron Cook was showing signs of losing effectiveness. With runners on first and third and nobody out, Tracy allowed Cook to pitch to Ryan Howard, who promptly doubled. Righthander Jose Contreras then replaced Cook.

Lefty Joe Beimel apparently was available, but ended up not being used in the game.

Situation No. 2: Later that inning, Raul Ibanez came up with one out and runners on second and third. The obvious move was an intentional walk to set up a possible inning-ending doubleplay and set up right-right matchups with Pedro Feliz and Carlos Ruiz. Instead, Ibanez drilled the first pitch to center, driving in two runs and pulling the Phillies to within a run.

Story continues below.

Situation No. 3: Rockies leading by two going into the bottom of the eighth. With Chase Utley and Howard leading off, Tracy opted for righthander Rafael Betancourt instead of lefty Franklin Morales.

It was unconventional, but it worked. Betancourt got both out on grounders before giving up a home run to Jayson Werth . . . a righthanded hitter.

 

Broadcast news

 

Major League Baseball announced the starting times for the remaining games of this series.

The Phillies already know that first pitch tomorrow will be 9:37 p.m. EDT. Sunday's Game 4 will be even later: 10:07 p.m.

If Game 5 is necessary back at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, it will start at 6:07 p.m. or, if it's the only game, 8:07 p.m. *

Send e-mail to hagenp@phillynews.com.

 

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